While traditional publishing continues to churn out some incredible books, self-publishing has transformed the contemporary world of literature. It’s an exciting time where the ability to spread one’s works to the masses has been democratized. That, however, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require effort, rather, independent authors take on the roles that traditional publishing houses would typically provide. Tasks like editing, cover design, marketing and advertising, now fall on the shoulders of the author.
In self-publishing The Staff of Beckoning, I’ve learned that progress requires a blend of creativity, strategy and perseverance. Starting with minimal online presence and a non-existent reader base, I found myself in the position I usually enjoy: building everything from scratch. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi in executing a multifaceted system … maybe it’s just me. It’s both daunting and liberating and full of lessons to be learned. In this post, I’ll share my trials, tribulations, and achievements in self-publishing my debut novel.
Professional Help
One of the first things I realized was the importance of professional help. Back in 2018, when I finished the manuscript, I had help from line editors to polish the prose. As much as I love writing, I am a firm believer in having another set of professional eyes (or several) on your work. They caught things that I would never have noticed, and helped elevate the story to a level I am proud of. I am very aware of how a poorly edited book can ruin immersion, and I wanted to ensure that my readers didn’t experience that.
Another area where I needed help was my cover design. I underestimated the effect of a well-designed book cover, and made my own, believing that a compelling description and intriguing sample would pull readers in. But that is not the case—the book is definitely judged by it cover. It is the book’s first impression and should stand out. After a few weeks of mixed reviews on the cover, I invested in a professional. Their design transformed the appeal of the book leading to an uptick in sales. So lesson learned. Invest in a professional cover designer.
Distribution
I’m still tinkering around to figure out the most cost-effective strategy. For now, I am on Amazon KDP for all formats. It is by far the largest marketplace to-date. I also recently decided to give Kindle Unlimited a try as a way to gain increased visibility. We’ll have to see how that pans out. In addition, I am now considering going with Ingram Spark as well to leverage their “wide” distribution network that would allow for my book to be available in book stores and libraries. More to come on this as well.
Advertising & Marketing
Any writer’s goal is for their creations to entertain their audience. But no one will ever know even the most compelling stories if no one knows about it. You can’t just hit “publish” and hope for the best. So, I’ve been running ads on Amazon, Facebook, and Bookbub. Learning the nuances of the advertising world like CPC (Cost per Click) and ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sales) and many others has been like getting a whole new education. Understanding them has been one challenge…leveraging them appropriately has been a whole other ball game. But trial and error and lots of articles and videos has helped me set up somewhat successful campaigns so far. I’m excited about the potential they offer for future releases.
Speaking of future releases, one thing I missed with The Staff of Beckoning was setting up a proper book launch. I had read about its importance, but I convinced myself that without an established reader base and minimal online presence, a book launch would fall flat. I will never find out, but it should have been something I tried. So, for my upcoming books, I plan on creating some prelaunch buzz through teasers and giveaways.
Audiobook
Whether or not to create an audiobook is a personal decision. But for me, it was the right one as I could hear the book being narrated while writing it. It’s also a whole new medium for storytelling and opens up your story to a different audience. The production process was tedious, taking about a total of three months, but unendingly fascinating. First, I held auditions and hired a narrator. Then I provided the narrator with a list of pronunciations and set up a Google doc for notes and comments. The narrator would record chapters, and I would listen—headphones, speakers, car. I’d listen for accuracy to the text, emotions, consistency in voices, audio glitches, you name it. Then, I’d provide the comments to the narrator, and he’d re-record. I think I have listened to my book about 7 times. And the whole audiobook is about 13hrs and 43mins…you can do the math! Then ACX perform a quality assurance check before officially releasing it. And on of December 19, 2024, the audiobook was released.
That’s where I am as of now. Self-publishing has been an incredible learning experience, with each step teaching me something valuable. The main lesson through it all has been persistence and patience.
